Anything that is imported from the US that is made overseas, specifically China is subject to 6.5% duty plus some additional small charges with the shipping company with respect to brokerage fees(depending on the value of the item) and of course shipping costs which will be reflected in US dollars as well. Of course in addition, because prices are posted in US dollars, you have got the exchange rate to deal with plus the usual sales taxes upon delivery. Some shipping companies will want you to pay these additional charges immediately upon delivery, others might bill you for these. Essentially, the companies that I have dealt with that do US to Canada deliveries are either UPS or FedEx. You should be able to find out most of these charges from the shipper and carrier ahead of time so you will have a pretty good idea as to what the total cost is going to be.

Certainly these additional charges can add up, but when you see that there is not a lot of choice out there in multi-channel power amps and those that exist are usually VERY expensive, importing an Emotiva or an Outlaw with their wide choice of products, even at the current exchange rates along with the additional charges, you are still way ahead of the game.

The funny thing is, it's not spending the money that's giving me pause, it's the fact that I would have to replace my Bell'O glass-shelved rack (because it's only rated for 50lbs per shelf) and possible electrical concerns.

OK, electrical question for the experts:

I currently have ALL of my equipment on one outlet through a Belkin unit.

Does adding an amp like this increase demands for A/C power (due to various efficiencies or more power supplies) over running a receiver alone?

Or, is it one of those situations where, if I was running the system at 95dB, it doesn't really matter if the watts necessary to achieve that volume are all drawn from the receiver or split between a receiver and an amp?

The answer might determine a purchase, because I wanted to replace that rack at some point anyway....!

You would need to add all the power consumption ratings on all you equipment and divide by 120 to get amps drawn. If you are with the limit on that breaker you should be good. One thing you could do is build a nice amp stand that would sit on the floor.

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Rick

"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Okay guys, I've just joined the M80 club...errr...officially in about 4 weeks. Just got off the phone with Brent and ordered 2 M80s, 2 QS8s and a VP150 in Baawston Cherry from the outlet. You guys finally broke me down!! I'll get a sub locally here, probably the P'digm DSP3400. Was going to audition these on Saturday, which was a day off for the plant. Debbie graciously offered (via Brent) to open the plant to audition...I thought I would just go ahead and make the deal. Fred was going to come up with me, along with my brother, so instead of this Saturday, we'll head up in 4 weeks approx. I figured, I've heard enough great reviews both professional and customer that it was an easy decision. Now, I just have to find me a 500 Crystal changer....

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Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.

Those chrystal changers are hard to come by. Maybe you can sweet talk Zimm out of his.

I'm sure we can work something out...but no 30 day return on crystal sales. All sales FINAL.You have any of those magic coins you put on top of your speakers to make them more airy and seemless and tight and big and thick? I've been eying those.